Capriati dethrones Martinez

BERLIN, MAY 11. Patience was the virtue for Jennifer Capriati as the US third seed dethroned defending champion Conchita Martinez to reach the semifinals of the $1.2 million German Open here on Friday, winning a gruelling two-hour battle 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Martinez shot out of the starting blocks the stronger, her claycourt guile and frequent changes of pace flummoxing Capriati in the opening set which the Spaniard laid the foundation for winning by steaming into a 4-1 lead having broken in the first game.

But sixth seed Martinez gradually lost the initiative after letting slip a 2-0 lead in the decider.

``It was a very difficult match - I'm happy I got through it,'' said Capriati, who now plays Belgian teen Justine Henin, a 6-4, 6-2 winner over German wildcard Miriam Schnitzer.

``You've got to mix it up, rally and be patient,'' added the American, semifinalist here in 1991 and 1992.

The 28-year-old Spaniard, title winner here in 1998 as well as last year, had been classed very much as the underdog against Capriati, in superlative form this year following her success at the Australian Open.

Martinez gradually began to lose her momentum in the second set, dropping serve three times in a row. By now Capriati, 25, had come to terms with the Martinez slice as well as her quick-slow tactics and despite a break against her in the third game she motored into a 5-1 lead before levelling the tie at one set-all with a cute drop shot.

Martinez crucially double faulted when she had a point for a 3-0 lead in the decider and after that there was to be no way back as two further errors gave Capriati the break.

She broke again for 5-4 when Martinez drove long and an imperious volley at the net closed the contest in the American's favour to take their career series to 5-3 in her favour.

Henin, conqueror of US teen Venus Williams, took time to settle against Schnitzer and admitted she had felt under pressure to produce the sort of form which had sent Williams packing on Thursday.

``We were both nervous - but she had nothing to lose. I managed to relax once I got a set clear. I was under pressure and it was a tough match - but I'm a step further on,'' Henin said.

The results: Quarterfinals: Jennifer Capriati bt Conchita Martinez 2-6, 6-3, 6- 4; Justine Henin bt Miriam Schnitzer 6-4, 6-2.

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